DATE=12/10/98
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
NUMBER=2-242768
TITLE=IRAQ / U-N (L)
BYLINE=SCOTT BOBB
DATELINE=CAIRO
CONTENT=
VOICED AT: 

INTRO:  FOR THE SECOND DAY IN A ROW, OFFICIALS IN IRAQ ARE SAYING
THAT U-N INSPECTORS WILL  NOT  BE ALLOWED TO ENTER A BUILDING 
HOUSING OFFICES OF THE RULING BAATH PARTY.  NEVERTHELESS, AS 
V-O-A CORRESPONDENT SCOTT BOBB REPORTS FROM OUR MIDDLE EAST 
BUREAU, THE FULL CONTINGENT OF U-N INSPECTORS CONTINUED THEIR 
WORK THURSDAY.

TEXT:  THE HEAD OF THE RULING BAATH PARTY IN BAGHDAD, LATIF 
NSAYYIF JASSIM, SAYS U-N WEAPONS INSPECTORS WILL BE TURNED BACK 
AGAIN IF THEY TRY TO ENTER THE PARTY HEADQUARTERS.

MR. JASSIM TOLD REPORTERS IN BAGHDAD THERE IS NOTHING INSIDE THE 
PARTY HEADQUARTERS THAT IS BANNED OR PROHIBITED AND, IN HIS 
WORDS, THEY WILL  NOT  FIND ANYTHING RELATED TO WHAT THEY ARE 
LOOKING FOR.  THE PARTY OFFICIAL SAID POLITICAL PARTIES ARE  NOT 
INCLUDED IN THE INSPECTIONS SITES.

A TEAM OF 12 INSPECTORS TRIED TO ENTER THE PARTY OFFICES 
WEDNESDAY BUT THEY WERE TURNED BACK BY IRAQI OFFICIALS WHO ASKED 
FOR A LIST OF THE MATERIAL THEY WERE LOOKING FOR.

CHIEF U-N WEAPONS INSPECTOR RICHARD BUTLER CRITICIZED THE ACT,  
SAYING HIS STAFF WAS BLOCKED FROM CARRYING OUT WHAT HE CALLED A 
LEGAL, SUPRISE INSPECTION.

THE IRAQI GOVERNMENT AGREED TO ALLOW THE INSPECTIONS TO RESUME 
LAST MONTH, BARELY AVERTING U-S AND BRITISH AIR STRIKES.

///  OPT  ///   BRITISH OFFICIALS WEDNESDAY COMMENTED ON THE 
LATEST CONFRONTATION, SAYING IRAQ'S ACTIONS SO FAR ARE  NOT  
CONSISTENT WITH THE FULL COOPERATION IT PLEDGED LAST MONTH.

///  OPT  ///   U-S OFFICIALS REAFFIRMED THAT THE U-S GOVERNMENT 
IS POISED TO LAUNCH MILITARY STRIKES AGAINST IRAQ IF U-N 
INSPECTORS ARE PREVENTED FROM DOING THEIR JOB.  HOWEVER, THEY 
DECLINED TO SPECIFY WHAT MIGHT TRIGGER THE RESPONSE.   ///  END 
OPT  ///

A SPOKESMAN FOR THE INSPECTORS IN BAGHDAD, CAROLINE CROSS, 
THURSDAY REFUSED TO COMMENT ON THE INCIDENT OF THE DAY BEFORE OR 
SAY WHETHER THE INSPECTORS WOULD TRY AGAIN TO INSPECT IRAQI PARTY
OFFICES. SHE SAID THE INSPECTORS CONTINUED THEIR DUTIES THURSDAY 
WITH  NO CHANGE TO THEIR ROUTINES.

THE TEAMS ARE DUE TO COMPLETE THE LATEST ROUND OF INSPECTIONS 
MONDAY, AFTER WHICH MR. BUTLER IS TO SUBMIT A REPORT ON WHETHER 
IRAQ IS FULLY COMPLYING WITH THE INSPECTIONS.

IF THE REPORT FINDS IRAQ IS COOPERATING FULLY, THE U-N SECURITY 
COUNCIL HAS PROMISED TO UNDERTAKE A COMPREHENSIVE REVIEW OF THE 
IRAQI DISARMAMENT PROGRAM.  IRAQ HOPES THE REVIEW WILL LEAD TO 
THE END OF ECONOMIC SANCTIONS WHICH HAVE DEVASTATED ITS ECONOMY. 
(SIGNED)

NEB/SB/JWH/KL

10-Dec-98 8:39 AM EST (1339 UTC)
NNNN

Source: Voice of America
.